Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies (Recipe & Video)

These are the best soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies! They are slightly crispy on the edges and soft and chewy on the inside. This recipe is my all-time favorite cookie recipe, and once you try this recipe, it will also be your favorite recipe.

This soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe was first published in December 2020 and updated in October 2024. Since this video recipe was published on my YouTube channel, it has become a viral sensation, gaining over 7.5 million views and earning its place as one of the most popular chocolate chip cookie recipes around the world. Tens of thousands of people have already tried and loved these cookies (you can check the glowing comments on my video!). This recipe has quickly become a go-to in households worldwide, standing proudly alongside my famous 3-ingredient butter cookies and irresistible chocolate crinkle cookies, both of which you absolutely must try when you get the chance!

Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Brown sugar: Adds moisture and creates a chewy texture, while also providing a rich, caramel-like flavor to the cookies.
• White sugar: Contributes to the crisp edges and helps the cookies spread while baking.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and flavor, while also creating a tender texture.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture, helping to create a soft and chewy consistency.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and adds a warm, sweet aroma.
• All-purpose flour: Provides structure to the cookies and balances the wet ingredients.
• Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread, creating a light texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Chocolate chips: The star ingredient, adding bursts of melty, rich chocolate throughout each bite.

How to Make The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Achieving the perfect chocolate chip cookies is all about using the right techniques. Here are some essential tips to make sure your cookies turn out soft, chewy, and delicious every time:

• Use room temperature ingredients: Softened butter and room temperature eggs mix more evenly, giving you a smoother dough and a more consistent texture.
• Chill the dough: Refrigerating the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking helps control the spread and enhances the flavors, resulting in thicker, chewy cookies.
• Don’t overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can cause the cookies to become dense and tough.
• Measure accurately: Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements, especially for flour and sugars, to achieve the best cookie texture.
• Use quality chocolate chips: High-quality chocolate makes all the difference. Choose semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for a rich, flavorful experience.
• Underbake slightly: Take the cookies out of the oven when the edges are golden but the centers are still soft. They’ll continue to cook on the baking sheet as they cool, keeping the inside chewy.
• Add a pinch of salt on top: For extra flavor contrast, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt over the cookies before baking to balance the sweetness and enhance the chocolate flavor.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you wonder what makes chocolate chip cookies chewy, it all comes down to the right balance of ingredients and techniques. The combination of brown sugar and butter plays a big role here. Brown sugar contains molasses, which adds moisture and gives the cookies their soft, chewy texture. Using more brown sugar than white sugar also helps create that chewiness. The egg adds moisture and binds everything together, while refrigerating the dough before baking helps control the spread, making the cookies thicker and chewier. Finally, baking just until the edges are golden ensures the center stays soft and tender. These key steps and ingredients come together to create the perfect chewy chocolate chip cookies that everyone loves.

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

Now that you know how to make chewy chocolate chip cookies, it’s time to move to the second part: soft chocolate chip cookies. I’ll make it easy and explain the secret to achieving that irresistible softness. The key lies in using the right amount of butter and sugar. By creaming softened butter with sugar, you incorporate air into the dough, making the cookies light and soft. Additionally, using a higher ratio of brown sugar helps retain moisture, which keeps the cookies soft even after baking. Another trick is to slightly underbake the cookies, so they stay tender in the center. Finally, refrigerating the dough before baking helps control the spread, allowing the cookies to stay thicker and softer. These tips will ensure you get perfectly soft cookies every time!

How to Store Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Cool completely: Allow the cookies to cool at room temperature before storing.
• Airtight container: Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Store in the fridge: If you prefer to store cookies in the fridge, they can last for up to one week. Make sure to use an airtight container to prevent them from becoming stale.
• Freeze for long-term storage: Place cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thawing and reheating: When ready to enjoy, thaw cookies at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds to warm them up.

Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Brown Sugar

If you’re out of brown sugar, you can replace it with white sugar. Keep in mind that the cookies will be a bit crisper, but they’ll still be delicious! To maintain some moisture, you can add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to the dough.

More Cookie Recipes

If you enjoyed my soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe and want to try something new, you’ll probably love:

• Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Healthy Oatmeal Cookies – 5 Easy Recipes
• Meringue Cookies
• Thumbprint Cookies
• Lemon Cookies

Or simply check out all my cookie recipes and choose your favorite.

Common Questions